Grant: Applied Research and Development Grants - Level 2

Staying active is one of the best ways to keep healthy and can also improve peoples overall well-being andquality of life. Paid fitness clubs are valuable in keeping Canadians healthy, although they are oftenunaffordable in terms of cost and/or distance to individuals' place of work or place of residence. Because ofthis public parks have become a health service and an integral part of the healthcare system for all ages andwalks of lifeActive Playground Equipment Inc. (APE), an Ontario-based company has more than 20 years of experiencedesigning and fabricating a wide range of recreational products including outdoor fitness equipment and haveinstalled equipment in parks across Canada. APE has developed a first and second line of fitness equipmentand due to its success are ready to develop the third generation model.Lambton College and APE have joined forces to collaborate on design, fabrication, installation andoptimization of a new line of outdoor fitness equipment with many new and exciting features includingsustainability, modularity, upgradeability, variable resistance, environmentally friendly protective coatings anduse of renewable materials.The applied research project will be lead by Industrial Research Chair of College's Dr. Shahram Karimi andwill involve his research team consisting of research technician's and students who will work closely with theAPE team to carry out the research activities. The applied research project will create a new line of productsfor APE that will increase their revenue and create jobs while providing an opportunity for students to learnabout new processes and technologies, while supporting the health of Canadian's.